Feeder wire connector



July?, 1.942-A H. P. CHANDLER 2,288,580

FEEDER WIRE CONNECTOR Filed Sept. 26, 1941 HUMEB l? CHANDLER -DEC D.

:Simentor `ticmar1y the med type or trolley tap Vhard rubber.

remedial, 1, 1942 I UNITED STATE zlzsasso mona Winn Comoros deceased Ohio, by Lillian O. Chandler assigner Company, Mansfield, Ohio ,lateofManseld to l'he OhioBrass application september ze, 1.941., sei-lama. 412,470

13 Claims. (Cl. 200.-1155) Ldv invention to trolley taps and 'parnectingacabletothbtrolleywireandthisdevice iinds its greatest usein mines, where electrically operated machines are moved to different locations in the mine.

One object of my invention is to provide a.

`device which an operator may safely handle in making a connection to the trolley wire.

Another object is to provide a device in which the handle or receptacle is constructed of other materials than wholly of electrical insulating material in order to increase the strength thereof. Another object is to provide a, device for holding a fuseJ the end fuse holders of the device being arranged to grip the caps on the fuse.

Another object is to provide a trolley wire tap in which the handle or casing is of insulation with a metal core and the fuse holders are insulated from each other.

My invention resides in the new, novel and Y useful construction described in this speciilca-tion and shown in the drawing i'orlllng a Part of this speciiication.

j In the drawing: Y

Fig. 1 is a side view in elevation of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal 'view in partialsection of my invention.

Fig. '3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

partial section on the lin Fig. 4 is a'vew in 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a modiiicd form of contactmwhich I may use.

for conlley ,wire and the contact portion' at one end In devices of the character of trolley wire taps,

it is-usual to construct the casing or handle of bre, or a plastic of sume nature, but such construction has not met all requirements. especially when used in mines where the device receives very rough handling.

Fibre appears to absorb moisture in mines where water is to be found. Plastics 'are waterproof, but are fragile asis, also, the case with Soft rubber is non-breakable and non-absorbent and rlstg shocks, but is not sufciently rigid for the Purpose. I have 'found that a casing of reeni'orced resilient rubber meets all requirements.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, I provide a casing or handle I comprising a cylindrical member 2 of metal which may be steel, copper, brass etc. This member or core 2 is provided with l Vat one end and is proan inwardly turned-ange I at the otherf flange portion l which protects the operator's hand from contact with the trol- 8. The contact may be straight bar of metalV knob 8 at one end or the bar 8 may be bent to provide a hook, as shown the contact may be hooked over the trolley wire or other conductor. The ball end contact shown in Fig. 5 is for the purpose of trailing the contact along the trolley wire by hand, the ball end 9 acting as a guide.

Mounted within the casing l at one yend is a fuse terminal or holder Ib having a cup-shaped to receive the end cap on an enclosed fuse, and the other end of the terminal I0 having means for attaching thereto a cable conductor H. Theinsulation i2 of the cable being inserted within an opening I3 'of the casing thereby adding to the safety of the rator as there is no portion of the conductor Il exposed.

'Ihe wall of the cup-shaped portion is split into segments Il by means oi' slots l5 thus permitting the wall to yield to better receive the fuse cap. The wall is, also, provided with a bead I8 which embeds itself'inin the resilient lining i.

'Ihe terminal Ilisofsuchsizewithrespect to the inner diameter of' the lining l. that it is forcible into position vided with end.

as shown in Fig. 4, it will be noted that the bead IE is-slightly embedded in the lining which is constantly tending to force the wall segments Il inwardly to reduce the diameter of the opencasing.

attaching the cable to the ter- The means for minal III comprises a lug IT having a. ilat sin'- face formed with an upstanding wall i8 which in turn forms a socket to receive the bent end 8 with a ball-like in Fi'g. 1, whereby will properly and 2|.

i sulated from the metal of the conductor Il. VThe lug I'I is tapped to receive the bolt I9 and a washer 20 between the bolt headaand conductor Il, holds the conductor in close and secure contact with the lug I9. y'

The fuse terminal 'or holder 2| at the open end of the casing` is constructed in the same manner as the terminal I with respect to the cup-shaped portion to receive the fuse cap. The other end 22 of the terminal 2|, however, is provided with an external thread to'- cooperate with the thread 3 on the core 2 and, also, has a threaded recess 23 to receive the threaded contact or nib 8. The terminal 2| is provided with openings 24, which form-an exhaust for any :gases that may be generated in the casing should the fuse blow.

The fuse is shown at 25 and constitutes any of the standard types of enclosed fuses which fit the casing I and terminals l0 Both end caps of the fuse 25 contact with th terminals 20 circuit between the terminals.

and 2| tocomplete the It will be noted that the terminal I0 is incore 2 by the lining 6, otherwise the device would be inoperative as the holders would be electrically connected through the core 2.

Lprefer to extend the lining 6 for the full length of the core 2 as far as possible to avoid any flash from a blowing fuse that might be projected from the fuse casing, contacting with the core 2. avoided with some types of enclosed fuses.

To assemble my invention, the terminal members I0 and 2| are removedfrom the casing which is' possible due to the yielding nature of the lining 6. The cable is next inserted in the end opening I3 of the casing and projected from the other end. The insulation is then removed from the end of the conductpr and the conductor formed to fitthe recess in the lug I1. The

This is a safety feature that maybe conductor is then clamped into position by means of the bolt I9 and washer 20.

The terminal III and the cable are then in condition to be forcedinto the casing and into the position shown in Fig. 4.

The fuse 25 is then inserted in to the casing with one terminal cap inserted into the opening formed between the wall segments |4. The constant pressure of the lining 6 will tend to retain the contact between the segments and fuse cap.

The terminal 2| is now placed in position shown in Fig. 2 through the medium of the threads I3. This positioning of the terminal 2| may. be assisted, if desired, by a pronged wrench engaging the openings 24 whereby the terminal 2| may be rotated.

The terminal 2| and fuse cap will finally be seated as in the case with the terminal I0.

The flange 4 resists any severe pressure exerted thereon by the terminal IIJ.

The resilient and yielding cover to the core 2 may be made of other material than rubber, for instance, any of the so-called synthetic rubbers or other suitable material.

The terminal 2| may have secured thereto the conductor of a cable in place -of the contact 8 in which case the device will function as a fused connector for two cables.

The insulating layers 5 and 6 are preferably moulded in place on the metal core 2 and secured thereto in many ways as well known to those manufacturing articles involving rubber or equivalent material.

Modifications will suggest themselves to those skilledgin the art therefore, I wish to be .limited only by myv claims.

I claim: e

1. A feeder tap comprising an insulating casing, metallic fuse holders at each end 'o'f the casing, means on one holder to' receive a lcable conductor, means on the other holder to receive a contact to engage a power conductor, a fuse device connecting the-said holders and means on each member to receive an end of the fuse device, the casing comprising an elongated cylindrical metal shell with insulation covering the exposed' exterior surface of the shell and substantially the entire interior surface, the insulation being continuousV except at oneend of,

the shelF, the holder at one yend of the casing being held in position by the insulation within the casing and the holder at the other end of the casing being screw threaded to the' shell whereby the distance between the holders may be adjusted, the exterior covering of insulation being expanded into a transversely disposed flange at one end of the shell to protect the operators hand from engaging the contact or power conductor andan opening through the casing at one end to receive the cable.

2. A feeder tap comprising in` combination, a casing comprising an elongated cylindrical shell of metal having an inwardly turned ange at one end and an opening through the ange, an internal thread at the other end of the shell, a coating of insulation over the entire outer surface of the shell and extending through the said opening and along the inner surface of the shell to the thread, the outer portion of the coat-l ing expanding into a transverse flange at one Vend of the shell to protect the operators hand, a terminal member at the threaded end of the casing and having threads' cooperating with the threads on the shell whereby. the terminal is adjustable longitudinally when rotated an`d thereafter held against longitudinal movement, means on the terminal to attach a contact to engage a power conductor, a second terminal member spaced from the first terminal and insulated from the shell, means on the second terminal to receive and hold a cable conductor, and means on the facing ends vof each terminal to receive' means for electrically connecting the terminals.

3. A feeder tap comprising in combination an elongated cylindrical metal member open at both ends, a resilient layer of insulating material covering the outer surface of the said member and a portion of the inner surface of the member, the member and insulation forming a handle, threads formed on the uncovered portion of the inner surface of the member adjacent one end, metallic terminals at each end of the *handle, means to attach a cable conductor to one terminal and a contact associated with the other terminal and projecting therefrom for engagement with a power conductor, each terminal formed with a cup-shaped portion to receive the end caps of a fuse and the walls vof the said portion arranged to yieldingly grip the said caps.

4. A feeder tap comprising in combination a hollow handle formed of yielding, resilient insulating material, an elongated cylindrical metal insert within the insulating material to retain the shape thereof, a metallic terminal at each end of the handle within the handle, means on one terminal to attach a cable conductor thereto, means on the other terminal to attach a consure a secure contact between the terminals and' each end of the handle, one terminal within the handle and each terminal provided means to electrically connect the terminals andv with a yielding wall to receive the end cap of a 2o held in engagement with the fused ends.

tact thereto `to engage with a .power conductor, the resilient -means into contact' with the ends of each terminal formed with a yielding wall form- .the 1 ing a cup-shaped receiver for the end caps of a 8 -A fused feeder tap comprising a hollow fuse.' and means on the yielding wall of each cap handle 4formed of-a supporting member of 'metal of each terminal to engage theinsulation within b openl at both ends and provided with a layer of the handle whereby the resilient insulating maresilient insulating material moulded V to its outer terial will impose a pressure upon 'the yielding surface and expanded at one end into a'trans- 'l walls tending to press the walls inwardly and inverse protecting flange, a terminal member at the fuse caps. lo'within the handle and insulating means inter- 5. The combination with a feeder tap comprisposed between the terminal and the supporting ing a hollow handle of yielding, resilient insulatmember. the other terminal spaced from the mst. ing material having an elongated insert ofv metal terminal and attached to-the supporting member Ato :retain-A the shape vof the insulating material ,of metal, resilient means on each terminal, a yfuse and a mtal terminal at each end of the handle lo having its. terminals associated with the resilient with means for attac thereto devices. promeans n each terminal to receive n electric jecting'into the handle from without-andeach l conductor, each resilient means f :a u; the said terminal also `provided with cup-shaped means 'insulating means whereby the resilient means fuse Vpositioned within the handle, of means on 9. A ieeder'tap comprising a hollow handle the yielding'wall of each'te'rminal whereby the. open at both ends and formedof a metal sp- 'outer diameter ofthe wall is greater than the porting *member provided with a'yieldable, resilinner` diameter of the handle and the said means ient insulating lining on the inner surface thereis embedded in the surface of the inner wall of of, a terminal at each end of the handle and one the handle andthe said resilient material ofthe terminal having a portion of greater diameter inner wall of the handle in turn exerts a constant than the inner diameter of`the lining, the last pressure kupon the yielding walls'ofthe cupsaidA terminal being insulatedand removable shaped means tending to press the walls inthrough the opposite end of the handle dueto wardly. .30 the yieldable character ofthe lining as the-ter- '6. A feeder tap comprising a handle' portion minalis moved longitudinally of the handle, frichaving a wall of resilient, yieldable rubber, a lontionl between the parts holding the terminal at i gitudinally extending elongatedA metal insert any YIdesired position within the handle, the other within the rubber wall to maintain the shape of terminal being positioned at the said opposite the handle, a terminal at each end of the'handle 35 end of the handle and provided with means to within the handle, means on each terminal for cooperate with means on the'supporting member making attachments thereto, a cup-shaped porto hold themember in position, means on each tion on each Qterminal and having a yielding wall terminal to receive the ends of a fuse and a layer to receive and grip the cap of a fuse, a bead of insulating material secured in the outside of formed on the yielding wall of each terminal 40 the supporting member to protect an operator wherebythe diameter fsthe terminal is greater holding the tap. than the interior diameter of the resilient wan 10. A feeder tap comprising o hollow handle and therefore pressure is brought upon the yieldformed of a supporting metal member having ing wall tending to. press it inwardly and also moulded thereona yieldable and resilient insulatproviding means to retain one terminal in posiing material attached to the inner and outer sert whereby the terminal when rotated may be whereby a conductor may be attached thereto, moved towards and away from .the other terminal each terminal :provided with a yieldable wall and the terminal retained thereafter against l'on- 50 forming d 011D t0 receive the elldDf fuse, means gitudinal movement. on each wall to engage with the resilient lining l 7.` A fused trolley tap comprising a hollow to the supporting member whereby the said lining member of metal forming an elongated rigid is constantly pressing against the last said means frame-inwardly ilanged at one end and open at and tending to press the yieldable wall inward1y both ends, the inner surface at one end formed to insure' engagement between the/terminal and with means to cooperate with and secure a terthe fuse end and a conductor attached to one of minal in place, a terminal provided with means the terminals .by means of the first s aid means.

to cooperate with the aforesaid means whereby 11- A feeder tap OOmDrising a hollow handle the terminal is held in position within the h ollow provided with an inner layer of resilient insulatmember, ja layer of resilient insulation moulded ing material, a terminal ai? each end of the to the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow handle, means on each terminal whereby attachmember and continuous through the opening in ment of conductors thereto may be made, each the flange, a protecting ilange at one end of the terminal' is also .Provided with a yieldable Wall handle and formed of moulded insulating maforming a receptacle for the end of a fuse, means terlal continuous with that forming the outer on each wall whereby the outer diameter of the layer on the hollow member, and a terminal held Wall is made greater than 'the inner diameter of imposition within the hollow member by the the layer of resilient insulating material whereby flange at the other end thereof. means on the. the wall and resilient layer are yieldingly interiirst terminal tovreceive a contact and means on locked.

the other terminal to receive a conductor, resil- 12. A feeder tap comprising a hollow handle 'lent means on each terminal, a fuse having its provided with an inner member of resilient inte ls associated in -said resilient means sulating material, a terminal member at each end whereby both terminals are electrically connected of the handle, means on each terminal member and means on the resilient means in engagement whereby attachment of conductors thereto may with` the inner lining tending to constantly press be made, each terminal member is also provided with a yieldable wall forming a receptacle for the end of a fuse. means on the said members where- Vby the inner member engages the yieldable walls of the terminal members and tending to press the said walls inwardly.

13. A feeder tap comprising in combination, a v

casing comprising an elongated l of metal having an inwardly turned flange at one end and an opening through the ilange, an internal thread at the other end oi the shell, a covering of resilient insulation over the entire outer surface of the shell and a lining of. insulation extending along the inner surface of the shell to the thread, the outer portion of the transverse ilange at 15 covering expanding into a one end of the shell to protect the operators cylindrical shell hand, of the casing and minal is adjustable longitudinally when rotated and thereafter heldiagainst longitudinal movement, means on the terminal to attach a contact to engage a -power conductor, a .second terminal member spaced from the first terminal and insulated from the shell, means on the second terminal to receive and hold a cable conductor, and means on the facing ends of each terminal to receelvsmeans for electricallyconnecting the term a LILLIAN C. CHANDLER. Administratriz of the Estate of Homer P. Chandler, Deceased.

a terminal member at the threaded end having threads cooperating with the threads on the shell whereby the ter- 

